Family seeks answers in Asheville police shooting death

Published 9:17 am, Thursday, July 7, 2016

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Family members of a man shot and killed by an Asheville police sergeant say they want more answers about the man's death, which they say was an unjustified shooting.

The family of Jai Williams held a news conference Wednesday outside the Buncombe County courthouse.

The 35-year-old Williams, a black man, was fatally shot by Asheville Police Sgt. Tyler Radford following a police chase Saturday evening. Authorities said the officer was in fear for his life after seeing Williams armed with an AR-15 rifle.

Williams' mother, Najiyyah Avery, described her son's death as "an unnecessary, unjustified shooting."

Radford, who is white, was placed on paid administrative leave during a review by the State Bureau of Investigation.